Trends of Teen Prescription Drug Use in Region 1, Texas

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1 [Type here] [Type here] [Type here] Teen misuse and abuse of prescription drugs seems to be declining slightly (-2%) in our region over the last two years. This decline is counter to the national trend (+33% over last five years) and further research is needed in order to understand what factors are contributing to this declination. Trends of Teen Prescription Drug Use in Region 1, Texas A Comparison with National Trends Prevention Resource Center, Region 1 Spring 2014

2 The PRC, Region 1 Who we are The Prevention Resource Center (PRC) is a service of Managed Care Center for Addictive/Other Disorders, Inc. We serve the 41 counties of the Texas Panhandle and South Plains Region. We serve as the central data collection repository and substance abuse prevention training liaison for Public Health Region 1, funded by a grant from the Department of State Health Services. Our duties are to identify local community, county, and regional data resources that will provide and share data to enhance and maximize data collection and support the central data collection repository efforts. Our mission The purpose of the Prevention Resource Center is to support activities that enhance and improve substance abuse prevention services across Region 1 of the State of Texas. The Resource Center serves as a central repository for data collected throughout Region 1 that will be used to develop a Regional Needs Assessment. Our specific goals are: To provide current, relevant, and community-wide data on substance abuse trends To enhance the ability of our communities to more effectively respond to changes in substance abuse trends To influence data driven changes in the standards and attitudes within our communities Our region We serve the following counties in West Texas: Armstrong, Bailey, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Crosby, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Floyd, Garza, Gray, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hockley, Hutchinson, King, Lamb, Lipscomb, Lubbock, Lynn, Moore, Motley, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, Terry, Wheeler, & Yoakum. How we serve our communities We serve our communities by providing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) data to schools, colleges and universities, or other community agencies. This is done through Information Dissemination which provides awareness and knowledge of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse, and issues and trends through the data collected by the central data repository. Our Community-Based Process aids the community to more effectively provide "TIPS" (Treatment, Intervention and Prevention Services) for ATOD problems through community mobilization, collaboration, coalition building, networking and community empowerment efforts. PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER, REGION 1 1

3 Through Environmental and Social Policy, we aim to reduce the incidence and prevalence of ATOD in the general population by establishing and/or changing written and unwritten standards, codes and attitudes within the community. This strategy also aims to combat substance abuse and related harms with concerted, community-based and comprehensive efforts to change norms, behaviors, systems and context that contribute to substance abuse problems in our communities. Tobacco strategies Our Tobacco Specialist works with tobacco retailers to understand and comply with Texas laws concerning the sale and display of tobacco products. The Prevention Resource Center provides education to tobacco retailers and the media concerning tobacco laws and the harmful effects of tobacco. Community cooperation The Prevention Resource Center collaborates with other agencies by sharing data about substance abuse issues, trends, planning, training and other activities within our region and state. The Prevention Center coordinates with regional coalitions and supports their prevention efforts. Richard Kolas Program Director April 4, 2014 Prevention Resource Center, Region 1 Managed Care Center for Addictive/Other Disorders, Inc th St. Lubbock, TX Tel (806) Fax (806) prc1.org PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER, REGION 1 2

4 Introduction Prescription drug abuse is a major health epidemic in the United States. In the past two decades, many new medications have been developed including new treatments for pain management, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety and sleep disorders. At the same time, we see an increase in the misuse and abuse of these medications where individuals take a drug in a higher quantity, in another manner, or for another purpose than prescribed, or take a medication that has been prescribed for another individual. Approximately 6.1 million Americans abuse or misuse prescription drugs. 1 Abuse, particularly of prescription painkillers, has serious negative health consequences and can even result in death. Overdose deaths involving prescription painkillers have quadrupled since 1999 and now outnumber deaths from heroin and cocaine combined. 2 Sales of prescription painkillers per capita have quadrupled from 1999 to 2010 and the number of fatal poisonings due to prescription pain medications has also quadrupled 3. In fact, enough prescription painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American adult continually for a month. 4 Each day, around 50 Americans die from prescription painkiller overdoses 5. These drugs are responsible for more than 16,000 deaths and 475,000 emergency department visits each year. 6 Each day, around 50 Americans die from prescription painkiller overdoses. These drugs are responsible for more than 16,000 deaths and 475,000 emergency department visits each year. A 2011 study estimated that in 2006, nonmedical use of prescription painkillers imposed a cost of about $53.4 billion on the U. S. economy. This cost included $42 billion in lost productivity, $8.2 billion in increased criminal justice costs, $2.2 billion for drug abuse treatment, and $944 million in medical complications. 7 Prescription Drug Use/Abuse by Teens Prescription drug misuse and abuse by teens continues to be a significant health problem today and it is threatening the well-being of American adolescents. Currently, 24% of American teens that is almost one in four admit to misusing or abusing a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime. 8 This is a 33% increase over the last five years and a much larger problem than many parents and educators may realize. 1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2012) 2 Topics in Brief: Prescription Drug Abuse (2013) 3 Ibid. 4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011) 5 Ibid. 6 Trust for America s Health (October 2013) 7 Hansen et al (2011) 8 The Partnership at Drugfree.org (April 23, 2013) PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER, REGION 1 3

5 In general, teens from urbanized, but non metropolitan areas are at the greatest risk for misusing or abusing prescription drugs, followed by rural and then metropolitan areas. 9 However, lax attitudes and permissiveness by parents toward prescription drug misuse and abuse, along with availability, are directly linked to these abuses by teens. Access to prescription drugs is usually found in the family (or friend s) medicine cabinet and teens are more likely to misuse or abuse these drugs if they think that their parents are okay with it, or if they think that any punishment would be less than for using street drugs. Key Findings for the 2012 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) 10 24% of teens report abusing Rx drugs at least once in the life 20% of Rx abusers did so before age 14 27% of teens mistakenly believe that abusing Rx drugs is safer than using street drugs 33% teens believe that it is okay to use Rx drugs that are not prescribed to them to deal with injury, illness, or pain 1 in 8 teens (about 2.7 million) report misusing or abusing Rx stimulants Ritalin or Adderall at least once in their lifetime 9% of teens (about 1.9 million) report misusing or abusing the Rx stimulants Ritalin or Adderall in the past year 6% of teens (about 1.3 million) report abuse of Ritalin or Adderall in the past month 29% of parents say they believe ADHD medication can improve a child s academic or testing performance even if the teen does not have ADHD 20% of parents report that they have given their teen a Rx drug not prescribed for them 16% of parents believe that using Rx drugs to get high is safer than using street drugs 23% of teens say that their parents don t care as much if they are caught using Rx drugs without a prescription compared to illegal drugs 26% of teens now believe that prescription drugs can be used as a study aid 14% of parents say that they have misused or abused Rx drugs within the last year In order to actively curb the trend of teen prescription drug misuse and abuse, parents and caregivers can safeguard all prescription drugs in the home, educate themselves about the dangers and risks of misuse and abuse of these drugs, and collect and responsibly dispose of unused or expired medications. Teens ease of access to prescription drugs in their own homes and in the homes of family and friends enables teens to misuse and abuse prescriptions. In fact, four in ten teens (40 percent) indicate prescription drugs are everywhere, while 43 percent indicate prescription drugs are easier to get than illegal drugs SAMHSA (April 11, 2013) 10 The Partnership at Drugfree.org (April 23, 2013) 11 Ibid PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER, REGION 1 4

6 Why Do Teens Use/Abuse Prescription Drugs? When teens are asked what was the main reason you last used a prescription drug without a prescription, many say that they did it in order to relax, to feel good, or to have fun. However, the vast majority claim to not know why they misused or abused prescription drugs. 12 Reasons for Using Rx Drugs (N=3884) 2012 To help me relax 18% To have fun 16% Because being high feels good 14% To help me forget my troubles 13% To deal with the stress and pressures of school 11% My friends are using 11% To help deal with problems at home 8% To feel better about myself 8% To look cool 6% It s a habit, I can t stop 4% Don t know 70% What was the main reason you last used a prescription drug without a prescription? Both teens and parents seem to share similar misconceptions concerning prescription drug misuse and abuse. 16% of parents and 27% of teens believe that using prescription drugs to get high is safer than using street drugs. 33% of teens believe that it is okay to use prescription drugs that are not prescribed to them in order to deal with injury, illness, or pain. Teens seem to have little idea about the danger of addiction in regard to prescription drugs. 25% of teens say that there is little to no risk in using prescription pain relievers without a prescription and 22% of teens say the same thing about Ritalin and Adderall. In addition, 20% of teens believe that pain relievers are not addictive at all. Parental Involvement in Teen Use/Abuse of Prescription Drugs Parents are talking less to their teenage children about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse as compared to other drugs. Only 14% of teens report discussing with their parents the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse, as compared to 81% of teens who report discussing the dangers of marijuana use with their parents. 13 This decrease in discussions concerning prescription drug misuse and abuse has troubling implications for teens whose behavior is linked to how they believe their parents would react if they were caught abusing or misusing prescription drugs. 23% of teens believe that their parents would not care as much if they were caught misusing or abusing prescription drugs as compared to illicit drugs like marijuana. 12 Ibid 13 Ibid PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER, REGION 1 5

7 Trends of Teen Prescription Drug Use in Region 1 Spring 2014 In any event, parents may be sending mixed messages to their teenage children concerning prescription drugs. 20% of parents indicate that they have given their teenage children prescription drugs that were not prescribed for them and 17% of parents say that they do not throw away or dispose of old prescription medication. Parents can reduce the likelihood of their teenage children misusing or abusing prescription drugs by learning about the dangers and risks of this behavior and communicating these risks to their teens. Teens who have learned a lot or a little from their parents or grandparents are less likely to misuse or abuse prescription drugs over their lifetime than their peers who learn nothing from their parents. 14 Prescription Drug Use/Abuse by Teens in West Texas Overall, little data is available specific to the 41 counties of Region 1. Recently, two surveys have been conducted in this region that have some findings for Region 1: The Texas Prevention Impact Index (TPII) and the VOICES Coalition Survey. Texas Prevention Impact Index For the last four years, the TPII has successfully surveyed students from Amarillo Independent School District (ISD) in order to track data concerning marijuana, synthetic, and prescription drug data. Their sample population ranges between 2,350 in 2010 and 3,099 in In 2013, 2,886 students (N=2,886) elected to participate in this survey. PERCENTAGE THAT MISUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS 1 OR MORE TIMES P A S T 3 0 D A Y S P A S T Y E A R 14 Ibid PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER, REGION 1 6

8 Rates of misuse and abuse of prescription drugs by Amarillo ISD students have declined over the last three years and 30 day prescription drug misuse and abuse has been on the decline since In fact, participating students self-reported that parents and peers disapprove of prescription drug misuse and abuse more than the use of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. 15 This seems to be counter to the national trend where rates of prescription drug misuse and abuse by teens has increased by 33% over the last five years. 16 VOICES Coalition Survey The VOICES Coalition Survey focuses on teenagers in Lubbock County and had 175 participants (N=175) its first year (2012). Prescription drug misuse and abuse is not the focus of the VOICES Coalition Survey but it does have one question concerning teen use: During your life, how many times have you taken a prescription drug without a doctor s prescription? Only 9.7% (N=17) of Lubbock County teens who participated in this survey reported ever taking a prescription drug without a prescription. This is consistent with the Amarillo data from TPII that reported a rate of 9.9% in Conclusion Teen misuse and abuse of prescription drugs seems to be declining slightly (-2%) in our region over the last two years. This decline is counter to the national trend (+33% over last five years) and further research is needed in order to understand and exploit what factors are contributing to this declination. Nationally, prescription drug misuse and abuse constitutes a health epidemic that threatens adolescents and adults alike. Each day, 50 Americans die from prescription pain medication overdoses. These drugs are responsible for more than 16,000 deaths and 475,000 emergency department visits each year. Both teens and parents seem to share similar misconceptions concerning prescription drug misuse and abuse. 16% of parents and 27% of teens believe that using prescription drugs to get high is safer than using street drugs. 33% of teens believe that it okay to use prescription drugs that are not prescribed to them in order to deal with injury, illness, or pain. Overall, our region seems to be experiencing less misuse and abuse of prescription drugs by teens than the national average. However, almost 10% of teens self-report using prescription drugs without a prescription. This is certainly too high. Parents can reduce the likelihood of their teenage children misusing or abusing prescription drugs by learning about the dangers and risks of this behavior and communicating these risks to their teens. Teens who have learned a lot or a little from their parents or grandparents are less likely to misuse or abuse prescription drugs over their lifetime than their peers who learn nothing from their parents. Only 9.7% of Lubbock County teens reported ever taking a prescription drug without a prescription. This is consistent with the Amarillo data that reported a rate of 9.9% in Texas Prevention Impact Index Research II (2013) 16 The Partnership at Drugfree.org (April 23, 2013) PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER, REGION 1 7

9 References 1. American Academy of Family Physicians (2013). Pain Management and Opioid Abuse: A Public Health Concern. Leawood, KS. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011). Vital Signs: Overdoses and Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers United States MMWR, 60 (43), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (July 2, 2013). Policy Impact: Prescription Painkiller Overdoses. Atlanta, GA. (Retrieved 3 January 2014). 4. Hall, A.J., Logan, J.E., Toblin, R.L., Kaplan, J.A. et al (December 10, 2008). Patterns of Abuse among Unintentional Pharmaceutical Overdose Fatalities. JAMA, 300 (22), Hansen, R.N., Oster, G., Edelsberg, J., Woody, G.W. & Sullivan, S.D. (2011). Economic Costs of Nonmedical Use of Prescription Opioids. Clinical Journal of Pain, 27 (3), Office of National Drug Control Policy (April 2011). Fact Sheet: A Response to the Epidemic of Prescription Drug Use. 7. Robinson, L. & Smith, M. (December 2013). Drug Abuse & Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drug Problems and Substance Abuse. Helpguide.org (retrieved 3 January 2014). 8. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2012). Results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings. NSDUH Series H-44, HHS Publication No. (SMA) Rockville, MD. 9. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (April 11, 2013). The NSDUH Report: Nonmedical Use of Prescription-Type Drugs, by County Type. Rockville, MD. 10. Texas Prevention Impact Index Research II (2013). 11. The Partnership at Drugfree.org (April 23, 2013) Partnership Attitude Tracking Study. Sponsored by Met Life. 12. Topics in Brief: Prescription Drug Abuse (2013). In National Institute on Drug Abuse. 13. Trust for America s Health (October 2013). Prescription Drug Abuse: Strategies to Stop the Epidemic Washington, DC. 14. VOICES Survey (2013). PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER, REGION 1 8

10 Contact Information Jackie J. Johnson Community Liaison Bobbie Austin Community Liaison Robert Schafer Evaluator Tel: Fax: Richard Kolas Program Director Tel: Fax: Tel: Fax: Tel: Fax: Prevention Resource Center, Region 1 Managed Care Center for Addictive/Other Disorders, Inc th St. Lubbock, TX Tel (806) Fax (806) prc1.org PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER, REGION 1 9